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‘Millennials’ Change the Landscape of Education
June 11, 2008 03:31 PM
by
Jen O'Neill
The technological gap between “old school” teachers and today’s technically savvy students results in “new school” approaches.
30-Second Summary
Members of the Internet Generation, also known as Millennials, are skilled “media multitaskers” when left to their own devices. Practically from the cradle, they’ve developed the ability to concurrently watch YouTube videos, send text messages, IM their friends and download songs, with little effort.
As a result, teaching today’s interactive learners requires incorporating different approaches to knowledge acquisition, problem solving and critical thinking.
Emerging pedagogy and curriculum fosters both formal and informal learning environments—physical and virtual—where students learn in the classroom with hands-on approaches, and with communal and independent learning spaces.
A 2004 United States Department of Education study found that children between the ages of 2 and 5 were the largest group of new Internet users, indicating that multimedia approaches to learning continue to be the wave of the future.
When students are not engaged, however, they feel powerless—which ultimately defeats the purpose of education.
As a result, teaching today’s interactive learners requires incorporating different approaches to knowledge acquisition, problem solving and critical thinking.
Emerging pedagogy and curriculum fosters both formal and informal learning environments—physical and virtual—where students learn in the classroom with hands-on approaches, and with communal and independent learning spaces.
A 2004 United States Department of Education study found that children between the ages of 2 and 5 were the largest group of new Internet users, indicating that multimedia approaches to learning continue to be the wave of the future.
When students are not engaged, however, they feel powerless—which ultimately defeats the purpose of education.
Headline Link: ‘The Multitasking Generation’
According to The Pew Internet and American Life Project, 82 percent of kids are online by the seventh grade, and the Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that kids ages 8–18 spend 8.5 hours a day interacting with computers, cell phones, iPods and other multimedia platforms. In educational terms, this means laptops are replacing textbooks and instant messaging is replacing face-to-face interaction.
Source: Time
Opinion & Analysis: Technological gap between teachers, students
Although older teachers may not be as technologically savvy as their students, they can teach students how to research, instead of search. Millennials are used to using a Google-style search box, yielding thousands of results that may or may not be reliable. According to Educause, an organization dedicated to promoting the use of technology in higher education, “The Net Generation may be simultaneously ahead of and behind earlier generations,” when it comes to acquiring knowledge.
Source: Educause Review
Reactions: Millennials understand the Internet’s potential
Demographic studies and general observations show that this confident group is more aware of current events, possesses a keen sense of social awareness and best responds to practical approaches to learning. The Internet is their primary source of information, fulfilling their need for instant gratification and constant access to information. In fact, school campuses are designing spaces to accommodate the preferences and needs of this generation of learners.
Source: Knowledge@Emory
In 2004, the U.S. Department of Education issued a National Education Technology Plan that sought to define today’s students and offer ways to best engage them. According to the Plan, for today’s generation of students, “the Internet appears to have stimulated interest in learning in general and, in particular, a revival of interest in researching and innovating using technology.”
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Reference: Education resources
For effective teaching and learning to take place, teachers and learners need to work from a shared set of principles. RedOrbit, a Web site covering science, technology and health topics, introduces the principles of teaching and learning and shows how to apply them with today’s learners.
Source: RedOrbit.com
FindingDulcinea’s Education Web Guide offers online learning tools and podcasts geared toward Millennial learners.
Source: findingDulcinea
© 2010 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
